Mammary Glands of the Horse

The mammary glands of the mare consist of one teat on each side attached to half of the udder. Each teat has two streak canals and two teat cisterns, each of which is continuous with a separate system of ducts and alveoli (occasionally a gland has a third set of ducts).

The suspensory apparatus is arranged as in the cow, although it is not as robust. The udder and teats of the mare are covered with thin, fine hair and with numerous sebaceous and sweat glands. There is a difference of opinion regard­ing the presence or absence of rudimentary teats in the stallion and gelding. They have been described in the skin forming the cranial part of the prepuce, but their presence here has also been denied. Apparently no adequate embryologic study of this subject has been reported.